Perspective

Summary:
Edward told Bella he had talked with his father and brothers regarding their wedding night. This is my version of that missing moment from between Eclipse and Breaking Dawn and includes what Edward and Bella do to prepare for their first night together as husband and wife.

Notes:

8. Chapter 8

Alice was waiting for us when we pulled up to the house. Bella let me drive. She wasn’t thrilled with her new car although she had not complained out loud to me since she’d agreed to it in advance. I loved her new car even though it was only temporary. Knowing she was driving the Guardian gave me peace of mind.

My sister bound down the steps and was opening Bella’s door before I had even exited the car. I gave my sister a look that clearly showed my distaste for her impatience. She ignored me. “Hi Bella,” She said, opening the car door.

“Hi, Alice.” Bella said with a little less enthusiasm.

“Are you ready? I have so many things to show you and I want you to look at the final invitations. I need to send them out tomorrow so everyone will get them in time.”

“Of course.” Bella mumbled. As Alice began to drag her away she glanced back at me with a look of defeat. I followed them inside and watched my sister disappear with my fiancé up the stairs.

I was about to walk up to my room when I heard Esme call my name in her thoughts. She was in out back. Quickly changing direction, I made my way to the back patio.

She heard me walk through the door and raised her head. Esme was gardening. It was something she had enjoyed as a human and still did. “Sit with me.” It was a request not a demand.

Locating one of the patio chairs, we rarely ever used, I took a seat a few feet away from her. With hands covered in soil, she brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “Alice says there will be sun tomorrow. Just what these beauties need.” She smiled.

I didn’t comment. My mother didn’t ask me to come and talk to her about flowers. When I remained silent she placed her hands in her lap and look up at me. Are you OK, Edward?

“I’m fine,” I answered, a little unsure what and why she was asking. And then I saw it in her thoughts and groaned. “Esme really I’m fine, we’re fine.” She looked at me skeptically.

You're worried, honey. I understand.

I shook my head. I should have known Bella and my plans would become common knowledge. I’d told Bella once we had no secrets and I had not been exaggerating. “Mom…”

Can I help?

“No!” I shouted. I took a deep breath to calm myself. “Sorry.”

She reached out and placed a hand on my knee. “It’s OK, Edward. I know talking to your mother probably isn’t what you want right now, but I’m here if you need me.”

I know she meant well. Esme always had my best interests at heart. “Thanks,” I said getting up to go back into the house.

Have you decided where your taking her?

This stopped me. I’d thought about our honeymoon of course. It was almost all I could think about since Bella and I had made our arrangement. I’d considered several places but given I did not know how long we would be there each had problems. “No.”

How about the island?

The Island? Her island? “Isle Esme?”

She nodded. Yes Edward. I was thinking it would be perfect, but it’s up to you. It’s yours if you want to use it.

Isle Esme. It was warm, which was good for Bella. It was also quite isolated but easily accessible to the mainland which provided adequate hunting should I need it. I stood silent for several minutes weighing the possibilities. I couldn’t find a negative to Esme’s offer. “Thank you, Esme.”

“You're welcome.” She smiled, understanding I had accepted her offer.

I gave her an answering smile and turned to go.

“Oh and Edward…” I paused. They all know. Even Rosalie.

I sighed and made my way to my room. As I said, no secrets.

Closing my door, I walked over to my stereo and put on a CD before lying on my bed. The music was soft and sensual. It brought back memories of this morning. I closed my eyes and let my mind wonder, remembering the sights and sounds of my love.

Even my perfect memory doesn’t do her justice, but it’s all I have right now. I remember the smell of her and the fire in my throat roars to life. Her lips pressing against mine, her body. My breath comes faster and I can smell her in Alice’s room, can hear her heart beat. I will myself to stay on the bed. My fingers tingle with the want to touch her. Then I remember the smell of her. Not of her blood, but her womanly scent. It’s overwhelming. My hands ball into fists and I force them open.

I need to get control of this. My memory of her scent is with all her clothes. It would be much worse with no barrier between us. The palms of my hands, while lying flat now, were pressed into the mattress. That wouldn’t do.

Releasing my minds hold on the memory for a second, I forced my body to relax and started again. This time I last a bit longer but the end result is the same. I do this ten times and only gain about a minute each time.

I was just getting ready to start again when there was a knock on my door. Coming out of my mental focus I knew it was Emmett. I looked down at my lap and already knew what I’d find. I’d been thinking about my Bella in very intimate ways. Of course I was aroused.

I took several deep breaths and forced my muscles to relax again before getting up off the bed. “Come in.”

Emmett walked in with a smirk on his face. “Busy little brother?”

“No,” I said, moving to my stereo to lower it. “Just listening to some music.”

“Yea sure you were.” He laughed, clearly not buying my explanation.

I just sighed. Emmett would believe anything he wanted to believe so it was no use trying to sway him. “What can I do for you?”

Seeming to remember he’d actually come for a reason, “Oh yeah. Two things. First, the hunting trip. Jasper and I were thinking this weekend.” My face must have hinted at a negative response because he jumped in again before I had a chance to respond. “Come on Edward. You promised. A long weekend. Bella can survive without you for three days,” he said almost pleading.

As much as I wanted to say no, I hadn’t been away for more than twenty-four hours in months. The monster inside me was thrilled with the idea of stalking a worthy predator again. Emmett seemed to think I needed some more convincing. “Jasper even found a spot known for its mountain lion population.”

As much as the thought of leaving Bella for any length of time was distasteful to me, I knew I needed to say yes. I nodded and Emmett pumped his fist in the air in excitement, which made me smile. “Alright!”

He seemed caught up in his excitement for a minute before coming to a sudden halt and then giving me a wicked smile. I knew I wasn’t going to like number two. He held up one finger and ran out of the room. Emmett was back in less than a second with two books in his hand, holding them so I couldn’t see.

“Rose and I got you a present.” He smirked. “Kind of a early wedding gift.” I was right. I wasn’t going to like this. He handed the books to me. “I’m still more than willing to give you some pointers little brother but…well I thought maybe you’d prefer this.”

I looked down and in my hands I now held Sex for Dummies and The Kama Sutra. I groaned. “They’re really very good Edward. Rose and I were flipping through them and we even found a few new things to try out.”

His mind started to wonder over those specific things. “Emmett!”

“Sorry,” he said, looking anything but.

I was about to hand them back to him when I heard the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs, footsteps that belonged to Bella. Knowing what I had in my hands made me react quickly. I ran to my desk and quickly shoved the books into the drawer. I was already back to where I’d started by the time Bella knocked on my door. Emmett could hardly contain his laughter.

“Hi,” Bella said as she opened the door and saw both Emmett and I standing there. “Can I come in?” she asked a little shyly obviously knowing she’d interrupted something.

Before I could say anything though, Emmett spoke up. “I was just leaving anyway.” Have fun with your gifts.